Sites of the Month
The Village of Webster Historic Preservation Commission recognizes properties of historic significance in the Village and commends the owners of these properties for their upkeep and restoration.
The Village of Webster Historic Preservation Commission recognized 9 East Main Street, Foley Insurance Agency, as the Site of the Month for August 2023.
The frame building now at 9 East Main Street was built about 1898 as a post office. There are still design elements of the post office in the building, including organizers for mail. The building served as a post office until about 1914 and was then used as a store owned by Charles Hilfiker and then Carlton Bowman. In addition, the building was also the site of law offices and a construction company. By 1921, Harold K Foley had opened the Harold K Foley Insurance & Real Estate Company. After his death, his wife Dorothea Foley ran the business until succeeded by her son, Tom who then turned the business over to Brendan Hanna. Brendan’s daughter, Megan Bloom joined the business in 2014. She now works with her sister, Sheila Hanna. In 2021, Foley Agency was recognized by the Webster Chamber of Commerce for their 100th year anniversary in the Webster community.
Climate Controlled Self Storage was the site of the moth for September, 2022. This building at 206 North Ave was used for many purposes including a cold storage facilty. It was built with in an excellent location adjacent to the Hojak Railroad (now the Hojak Trail).
The Village of Webster Department of Public Works building was the site of the month for August, 2022. This building was constructed in 1965 as an addition to the existing public works building.
The Knight House, a three story Victorian, was built in 1900 and was purchased by the Knight siblings (brother and sister). Slowly, and deliberately, the home has been rehabilitated. Plaster and lathe has been replaced and new windows put in with the exception of one in the front hall which still has the original glass. The trim throughout the downstairs, which had been removed and/or changed when remodelled previously, was replaced with the help of a craftsman from Newark who milled all new trim to match the original. The house was sided with Hardie Board, again, in keeping with the original style of the house. The original front porch was removed in the 1960s due to stuctural issues and in 2020, a new one was added and finished this past January.
As the Village population grew, better access to water was needed. During the late 1800s through the early 1900s standpipes were the most popular water storage structures. In the spring of 1909, it was determined the Village needed to build a standpipe in order to provide water for Village residents. A standpipe is a long, legless, skinny storage tank, placed next to a pump station, and designed to help generate water storage and water pressure. On November 24, 1909 the work was completed and the long-awaited water system was approved by Village authorities. The standpipe furnished the pressure needed for the system. The standpipe was ultimately replaced by water tower on South Ave.
United Methodist Church (UMC) as Site of the Month. According to Webster Through the Years by Ester Dunn, The cornerstone of the Church was laid September 2, 1906. The Church was dedicated on September 29, 1907. The structure is built on the Akron plan and veneered with yellow brick. The beautiful stained glass windows in the sanctuary were placed as memorials to a number of the first church families. Additions to the Church were constructed in the 1950 and 1960’s but kept the original façade design of yellow brick
Construction of the current Village Hall at 28 West Main Street began in 1964. The grand opening occurred on January 27, 1965. An advertisement in the Webster Herald that week invited the public to an open house to “view and inspect the new Village Hall and its facilities which include Customer Counter, Billing Machines, Vault, Mayor’s Office, Meeting Room and DPW Office and Garage.” Mayor Hawley was on hand to greet visitors. The current Village Hall was constructed on the site of Klem Chevrolet which sold cars from the shop formerly used by blacksmiths. The cobblestone building stood for many years. An article from the Webster Herald at the time shows a photo of the building being torn down. “With roof and floors dismantled, the cobblestone walls will be torn down soon to make way for an expansive driveway and parking area…” Prior to 1965, the Village Hall was located next door in the area that now serves as an entrance to the back parking lot behind Village Hall. It was constructed in 1912 and was a two-story building. According to Webster Through the Years, “the first floor provided space for the Fire Department's three pieces of equipment, three steel cells used as the village and town jail, and a vault for records. The two big front rooms on the second floor were used for village and town offices. A large assembly room in the back was used for elections, trials, and various meetings. The basement served as a warehouse for the public works department.”
